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Where each state stands on gun-control legislation

States on guns

Where the states stand on guns and violence as legislatures meet this year in the aftermath of mass killings. The District of Columbia, which already has strict gun laws, has no plans to further tighten them.

Legislature: Arizona is among the nation's leaders in open gun laws. And, while Republicans who dominate the House and Senate have not yet submitted firearms bills for 2013, they are expected to promote even greater public firepower, not less.

Arkansas

Governor's office: Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe is keeping an eye on the national gun debate, said his communications director Matt DeCample.

Legislature: Sen. Johnny Key (R) said he has heard nothing about gun-control legislation.

California

Governor's office: Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown's office has declined to comment on his stance on gun control legislation or any push for changes to state law.

Legislature: Updates that seek to close loopholes and improve enforcement of current laws are under consideration. Bills seeking to update the definition of a banned assault weapon and to ban conversion kits that create high capacity ammunition clips have been introduced.

Colorado

Governor's office: Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, has called for background checks for gun purchases and to ensure people with mental health issues get help instead of turning to violence.

Legislature: House Speaker Mark Ferrandino (D) said Hickenlooper's call to examining access to guns by the mentally ill will be taken seriously by the House and Senate.

Governor's office: Democratic Gov. Jack Markell proposes background checks for private gun sales as part of a new package of gun-control legislation. The proposal to end the gun-show loophole was one of several announced Monday. Others include banning assault-type weapons and ammunition clips holding more than five rounds for rifles and 10 rounds for handguns.

Legislature: Sen. Robert Marshall (D) proposed a gun control package that would ban military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, as well as a bill to establish gun buy-back programs for police.

District of Columbia:

The District already has an assault weapons ban and has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation. "Everything that is being discussed nationally we have looked at, and most if it has been implemented," D.C. Council Chair Phil Mendelson said.

Legislature: A bill from the House minority Democratic party would allow local governments to ban possession of concealed weapons at specific events held at government buildings or o public locations. On the majority Republican side, Senate President Pro Tempore Garrett Richter said "it's too soon" to say whether significant gun legislation wil happen in the session beginning mid-March.

Legislature: Rep. Paul Battles (R) introduced a bill to let local boards of education authorize school administrators to carry firearms upon completion of a basic training course. Rep. Charles Gregory (R) introduced bills that would relax gun restrictions and let owners carry guns in churches and on college campuses.

Hawaii

Governor's office: Democratic Gov. Neil Abercrombie is not proposing new gun control legislation, said press secretary Louise Kim McCoy. Hawaii has some of the nation's strictest gun laws.

Legislature: Chief clerk Brian Takeshita said he didn't yet know what, if any gun control legislation, would be proposed. Bills aren't filed until opening day, Wednesday.

Idaho

Governor's office: Republican Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter is a "life-long member of the NRA," said his spokesman Jon Hanian, adding he doesn't know of any pending gun-control legislation.

Legislature: Gun control is not on the legislative agenda, said Sen. Brent Hill, president pro tempore, referring to the GOP-controlled Legislature. He said the lawmakers will instead look at funding for mental health care.

Legislature: Rep. Elaine Nekritz (D), chairwoman of the Judiciary Civil Law Committee in the last session, supports the measure. Also pending: A request by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan for a federal appeals court to review a lawsuit challenging the state's ban on concealed carry. In December, a three-judge panel struck down the ban as unconstitutional.

Indiana

Governor's office: Republican Gov. Mike Pence, who took office Monday, has not announced any plans regarding gun laws. But he is keenly interested in school safety, said spokeswoman Christy Denault.

Legislature: Lawmakers have proposed no new laws aimed at limiting or controlling access to guns. But there are two pending proposals aimed at improving student safety. One would providing funding for armed police officers in schools. The other would allow properly permitted college students to carry guns on campus for personal protection.

Legislature: Approval of funds for more frequent mental health crisis training of law enforcement and health officials is more likely than the passage of gun legislation, said Sen. Jack Hatch (D). New laws on guns are not likely, Hatch said. Republicans in control of the House have signaled their support for strengthening gun ownership rights, said Rep. Matt Windschitl.

Kansas

Governor's office: Republican Gov. Sam Brownback said mental health services should be improved. He plans to spend $10 million on services for the most at-risk and challenging mental health cases and will name a task force to re-evaluate the system, spokeswoman Sherriene Jones-Sontag said.

Legislature: Sen.-elect Forrest Knox (R) said he will reintroduce a bill in the session that opened Monday that would ease the ban on carrying concealed weapons in state and municipal buildings.

Kentucky

Governor's office: Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear said looking at safety is important. "I am a hunter and gun owner, but all of us must be open to all ideas when it comes to the safety needs of our families and most importantly, of our children and schools," he said.

Legislature: Little is expected to come before the General Assembly related to gun control or expanding gun rights during its short session starting in February. While 16 bills on guns were filed last year, only three minor bills, including one that would establish the Kentucky long rifle as the official state gun, have been pre-filed.

Louisiana

Governor's office: Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal said he will introduce legislation designed to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill. His proposal would authorize Louisiana to report mental health eligibility to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) database.

Legislature: Neither Speaker of the House Charles Kleckley (R) nor Senate President John Alario (R) foresee any challenges to the state's gun laws in the legislative session beginning in April.

Legislature: Several bills have been filed. One is a proposal to strengthen "the integrity of non-resident concealed handgun permits."

Maryland

Governor's office: Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley is calling for a ban on military-style assault weapons, limits to large ammunition capacity and handgun licensing requirements, which would not apply to shotguns or rifles.

Legislature: Separate bills are in the works that would allow school staff to carry Tasers, or would allow designated "guardian" school staffers to carry guns. The sponsor is Delegate Mike McDermott (R).

Massachusetts

Governor's office: Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick has pushed for a renewal of the national assault weapons ban — the state has one. Since 2010, he has proposed legislation that would prohibit gun owners from buying more than one firearm every 30 days.

Legislature: Legislators are considering several gun-control measures, including tougher regulations on storing guns and a bid for better screening processes to keep guns out of the hands of those with mental illnesses. Also, a group of experts will advise legislators on public safety, mental health, law and other areas.

Michigan

Governor's office: Republican Gov. Rick Synder vetoed legislation days after the Newtown shooting that would have allowed permit holders to carry concealed weapons in schools and other gun-free zones, arguing it did not have an opt-out provision. There is no specific legislation he is backing now.

Legislature: There are no bills pending in the new Legislature regarding gun rights.

Minnesota

Governor's office: Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton is willing to consider new gun restrictions, but he's not sure whether such measures would be constitutional under the Second Amendment.

Legislature: Rep. Michael Paymar (D), who chairs the House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee, said he'll hold hearings on a range of gun proposals, including those from both gun-control and gun rights advocates.

Legislature: Rep. Mike Kelley (R) filed a bill that would allow any teacher or school administrator to bring concealed weapons to school. Currently, the school board must approve a person carrying a weapon on school property.

Legislature: Lawmakers have until Saturday to request bills. So far, there are 12 gun-related bill draft requests, but only one has been introduced. Republicans have requested a bill to prohibit state enforcement of any federal bans on semiautomatic firearms and magazines. Another bill seeks to prevent local governments from restricting firearms.

Nebraska

Governor's office: Spokeswoman Jen Rae Hein said Republican Gov. Dave Heineman will not push for new gun laws this year.

Legislature: Sen. Mark Christensen (R) pushed a bill last year that would overturn the state's ban on concealed handguns in schools and allow some school administrators to carry them. Christensen said he's not sure if he'll reintroduce the legislation.

Nevada

Governor's office: Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval has not proposed specific legislation for the 2013 Legislature, which opens Feb. 4 with Democrats in the majority. But Sandoval said the Connecticut shooting has heightened attention on gun control, access to mental health services and school safety.

Legislature: Senate Majority Leader Mo Denis (D) said discussion will "likely occur" on the issue of safety of children in Nevada's schools more than on gun control."

New Hampshire

Governor's office: Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan says the state needs to "determine what can be done to make communities safer and better, including improving our mental health system and addressing the proliferation of deadly assault weapons."

Legislature: So far no assault-weapons bans have been introduced, said House leader Gene Chandler (R). House Democratic leaders say they view that primarily as a federal responsibility. The Democrats repealed a House rule that allowed people to carry guns into the chamber.

New Jersey

Governor's office: New Jersey has the "second toughest gun laws in America already," Gov. Chris Christie said. But, speaking on CBS This Morning, he said the state needs to have a conversation about gun control. He added that violence in video games and the stigma attached to mental illness also must be on the table for discussion.

Legislature: Sen. Shirley K. Turner (D) has proposed a bill that would prohibit mail-order, Internet, telephone and any other anonymous method of ammunition sale or transfer. A measure proposed by Sen. Richard J. Codey (D), would prohibit investment by the state of pension and annuity funds in certain companies manufacturing, importing, and selling assault firearms for civilian use. Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D) has proposed measures that would reduce the maximum capacity of ammunition magazines and require ammunition sales and transfers be conducted face-to-face.

New Mexico

Governor's office: Republican Gov. Susana Martinez has long been a gun rights advocate. She is expected to push for a bill to ensure that the state is reporting information to the FBI about people found mentally ill by a court.

Legislature: Over the past decade, the legislature has passed a law allowing people to have concealed-carry licenses, and expanded that to allow license holders to carry guns into restaurants that sell beer and wine. Rep. Miguel Garcia (D) said he will introduce a bill that will close the "gun show loophole," requiring background checks on anyone buying firearms at gun shows or in private transactions.

New York

Governor's office: Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo has called for the "toughest assault-weapon ban in the nation," with a seven-part plan that includes banning all magazines that can hold more than 10 bullets, a background check for private gun sales and tougher penalties for possessing an illegal firearm.

Legislature: The Legislature was working on enacting what would be the nation's first gun-control measure following last month's Connecticut school shooting. The bill would further restrict New York's ban on assault weapons, limit the size of magazines to seven bullets, down from the current 10, and enact more stringent background checks for sales. Other elements, pushed by Republicans, would refine a mental-health law to make it easier to confine people determined to be a threat to themselves or others. The Senate passed the measure late Monday. The Assembly votes Tuesday.

North Carolina

Governor's office: Republican Gov. Pat McCrory said he's not for more gun laws. He said he's concerned about a "total breakdown" in the mental health system. "We've got a lot of laws ... some of the federal laws we aren't enforcing as much as we should."

Legislature: Senate President Phil Berger (R) would not say if the General Assembly would take up gun control. "Senator Berger respects the Second Amendment and will continue to fight to protect it," said spokeswoman Amy Auth.

North Dakota

Governor's office: "We're not talking about banning guns," says Jeff Zent, a policy adviser to Republican Gov. Jack Dalrymple. Zent says he does expect lawmakers to talk about ways to better identify people who have emotional or mental problems.

Legislature: Sen. Majority leader Rich Wardner (R) anticipates there could be more money allocated to human services for mental health and counseling. He's unaware if any bills will be brought dealing with firearms.

Ohio

Governor's office: Republican Gov. John Kasich and the leaders of the Republican-controlled legislature have been silent on what gun legislation may be considered. The Attorney General's office has formed a group to provide a legal assessment of the state's gun laws. One issue: whether state law lets teachers and administrators carry weapons in school.

Legislature: Sen. Eric Kearney (D), the minority leader, says he can see the House passing a bill to let teachers carry weapons, but it's not clear the Senate would approve. The House and Senate have clashed often in the last two years, although both are in Republican hands.

Oklahoma

Governor's Office: Republican Gov. Mary Fallin has "no plans at this time to pursue gun-related legislation," says press secretary Aaron Cooper. She has lent her support to a legislative task force to consider recommendations related to school security.

Legislature: A state law in effect since November 2012 allows licensed gun owners to carry an unconcealed handgun in some circumstances, but not in school buses, at school board meetings, or in public or private schools, colleges or universities. Some legislators have talked about introducing bills that would allow trained teachers and principals to carry guns in school.

Oregon

Governor's office: Gun control is certain to be on the agenda, said Tim Raphael, spokesman for Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber. "The Governor sees no reason for civilians to have assault weapons – period," Raphael said. "He's directed staff to research a range of options for him to consider on firearms regulation, mental health and school safety measures that could be the basis for a comprehensive approach to the problem. "

Legislature: At least three gun control measures already are gaining support . One would ban magazines for semiautomatic pistols and rifles that hold more than 10 rounds. Another would prevent holders of concealed weapons permits from taking guns onto school property. The third would ban the sale of military-style assault rifles in Oregon.

Pennsylvania

Governor's office: Republican Gov. Tom Corbett's press office said in a statement: "Pennsylvania has a number of gun laws which control the sale, possession and use of guns. We need to enforce those laws. At the same time, we are discussing initiatives to enhance school safety and focusing our attention on how we can prevent guns from getting into the hands of persons with mental health issues.''

Legislature: Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, plans to propose a resolution to create a task force to study the prevention of violence as a first step toward helping the legislature address "many of the issues surrounding mass shootings." Said Greenleaf: "The danger of concentrating just on guns "is that it will divert our attention from some of the causes," such as mental illness and bullying."

Rhode Island

Governor's office: Gov. Lincoln Chafee, an independent, along with the state attorney general, legislative leaders, mental health officials and police chiefs and others have formed an internal working group to take a comprehensive look at the state's gun laws, an effort to develop one bill to overhaul the state's firearms law.

Legislature: Attorney General Peter Kilmartin says it's likely a bill will be voted on , although it's not certain there will be agreement on a single piece of legislation or that a proposed law won't be altered . Democrats dominate the Rhode Island legislature. The working group will consider whether to recommend a ban on military-style weapons or a limit on the size of magazines. Also under discussion: Changing laws to make it easier to share mental health information.

South Carolina

Governor's office: "A CWP (concealed weapons permit) holder herself, Republican Governor (Nikki) Haley knows that few things are as clearly defined as the right of individuals to own and use firearms, and she supports open carry and reciprocity for all states," her spokesman Rob Godfrey said. "But the governor ... also believes we need to continue fighting to deliver mental health services to those in desperate need of it."

Legislature: A bill that would stiffen penalties for carrying a firearm into a business that sells alcohol has been carried over from last year and reintroduced in the House of Representatives. Another bill that comes as a response to concerns the federal government may try to restrict gun rights is the proposed Firearms Freedom Act. Sen. Larry Martin (R), who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he'll give the bill a full hearing.

South Dakota

Governor's office: Republican Gov. Dennis Daugaard vetoed a bill last year that would have allowed anybody 18 or older without a criminal record to carry a concealed weapon. Tony Venhuizen, Daugaard's director of policy and communications, said the governor isn't endorsing any laws related to firearms, but he expects there to be debate.

Legislature: If any gun measures pass, they will more likely loosen restrictions on firearms than tighten them, says Majority House leader Rep. David Lust (R). Lust said he's heard that several gun bills are in the works.

Tennessee

Governor's office: Republican Gov. Bill Haslam said he has doubts about a proposal from Tennessee state legislators to allow armed school teachers. He wants more funding for school resources officers and mental health services. Halsam also wants schools and universities exempt from a so-called guns in trunks bill that would allow gun owners with permits to keep their guns in their cars at work or school. That bill stalled last year but will likely come up again this year.

Legislature: Speaker of the House Beth Harwell (R) has doubts about arming teachers. But Sen. Stacey Campfield (R) says some schools don't have money for resource officers. His answer is to allow teachers who get additional training as resource officers to carry arms. Campfield said that schools shouldn't be exempt from the guns in trunks bill.

Texas

Governor's office: Republican Gov. Rick Perry is not backing any new gun laws, said his deputy press secretary, Lucy Nashed.

Legislature: Rep. Jason Villalba (R) has said he will introduce legislation called the Protection of Texas Children Act that would permit Texas schools to appoint a member of their faculty as a "school marshal," who would be trained, certified and authorized to carry a concealed weapon. Jason Embry, spokesman for House Speaker Joe Straus, says the speaker has not publicly taken a position on the proposed legislation. "But I would stress that he is a strong Second Amendment supporter," Embry said. Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst is considering legislation to require special active shooter training for teachers who want to carry guns, said his spokesman, Matt Hirsch.

Utah

Governor's office: Ally Isom, deputy chief of staff for Gov. Gary Herbert, said the governor's office is not aware of any new legislation regarding gun control in Utah. "What the governor's office is more concerned about is the need to reassess how we address mental health, and particularly access to weapons by the mentally ill," Isom said.

Legislature: Brad Dee (R), majority leader of the House of Representatives, said he does not expect any new gun legislation from Utah's highly conservative legislature. Dee said he has asked that the legislature study the "whole ramifications of violence" but does not want to be reactionary and limit the discussion to guns.

Vermont

Governor's office: Gov. Peter Shumlin, a Democrat and a gun owner with the endorsement of the National Rifle Association, says the Connecticut shootings prompted him to conclude that some restrictions on high-powered weapons are warranted, but he insists it is a federal issue and says changes in state laws will not work because people can cross borders to obtain weapons.

Legislature: Legislators in both the House and Senate plan to introduce bills that look at restricting how many rounds a gun can fire before reloading and requiring gun locks. But legislative leaders express doubt the bills would gain full traction, as gun control has long been forbidden territory in Vermont.

Virginia

Governor's office: According to Jeff Caldwell, press secretary to Gov. Bob McDonnell, the Republican governor is advancing several proposals. Among them: McDonnell is proposing "targeted new mental health funding," and establishment of a School and Campus Safety Task Force to review security policies at schools and colleges.

Legislature: Republicans in House of Delegates support a plan for "a substantial amount" of increased funding for the state's armed school resource officer program, says Matthew Moran, spokesman for House Speaker William Howell (R).

Washington

Governor's office: Sterling Clifford, spokesman for Democratic Gov.-elect Jay Inslee, declined to comment on whether gun proposals would be part of the governor's agenda, but he emphasized that Inslee — as a congressman — voted for the assault weapons ban and favored background checks for firearms purchases at gun shows.

Legislature: There were no new gun law proposals in the list of bills filed in advance of the Legislature's Jan. 14 opening session.

West Virginia

Governor's office: Democratic Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's staff did not respond to inquiries. But in a statement published Dec. 17 by the Charleston Daily Mail, Tomblin said that while he strongly supported gun rights, "these core principles…should not prevent us from debating and putting reasonable restrictions on assault weapons and magazines capable of carrying hundreds of rounds of ammunition."

Legislature: With the legislative session to re-open Feb. 13, there are no new gun law proposals to be considered by either the House or Senate Judiciary committees. Staffers for Sen. Corey Palumbo, the Democratic committee chairman, said lawmakers had offered nothing before the session recessed this month. Delegate Tim Miley (D), the senator's counterpart in the House, said while the "general public has discussed gun control, it has not come from any legislative perspective.''

Wisconsin

Governor's office: Republican Gov. Scott Walker in an Associated Press interview last month declined to say whether he would support a ban on assault rifles and the sale of high damage ammunition. He did say he will convene a meeting of mental health experts to make sure people are getting adequate treatment.

Legislature: Legislation to toughen gun control laws may face an uphill battle. Republicans control both chambers in the Capitol and in an e-mail, Tom Evenson, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said, "While this is an issue that certainly may be discussed, Senator Fitzgerald's focus will be tied to job creation and balancing the state budget in the new session." Sen. Fred Risser (D) says he plans to again introduce gun legislation after two of his bills died without a hearing during hte last session.

Legislature: Republican lawmakers in the House and Senate are backing a bill that would prohibit the state from enforcing any federal restrictions on semi-automatic weapons or magazines. Lawmakers are also considering a bill to prohibit local governments from passing gun-related ordinances and a measure that would allow concealed carry in schools and on college campuses.